China Criticizes US Military Presence Near Venezuela
On Thursday, China strongly condemned the presence of US troops near Venezuela, which it associates with the Trump administration’s campaign against drug cartels. Officials in Beijing accused the US of meddling in foreign affairs.
During a press briefing, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning addressed inquiries about the naval deployments. She stated, “China opposes any actions that violate the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and threaten a nation’s sovereignty and security.” Furthermore, she emphasized the country’s disapproval of the use of force in international relations and interference in Venezuela’s domestic matters.
“We hope that the United States will strive to enhance peace and security in Latin America and the Caribbean,” she remarked, adding a note of hope amidst the tensions.
The Pentagon confirmed that at least three Aegis guided missile destroyers, including the USS Jason Dunham, are part of a mission involving thousands of Marines. Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell remarked that on his first day in office, President Trump designated drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, labeling them direct threats to US national security.
In a related context, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro declared the mobilization of 4.5 million militia members in response to what he termed an “exotic threat” from the United States. The Trump administration is pressing for accountability regarding Maduro’s regime, which it describes as a “cartel of narco-terrorism.” Earlier, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondy announced a $50 million bounty for information leading to the arrest of South American leaders involved in drug trafficking.
Meanwhile, the Justice Department reported the seizure of over $700 million in assets associated with Maduro, including luxury vehicles and private jets. Facing charges of narcoterrorism and conspiracy to import cocaine in a 2020 case, Maduro is believed to be reliant on military backing from allies such as Russia, China, and Cuba.
